Eugene’s premiere Salsa band!
Active Years: 1987 – 2007
“The 11-piece group has gone through many phases since its formation in 1987 by band leader and lead singer Fernell Lopez and former Lane Community College music students Enrique Rios, Alejandro Gonzalez and David Bender. They began as a Latin-jazz combination band, but around 1993, pianist Julio Jauregui turned Caliente’s music into real salsa.” – Source: Daily Emerald, April 2004
Members:
- Fernell Lopez – lead vocals, conga & percussion
- Enrique Rios – alto & tenor sax, flute & Yamaha XW-11
- Alejandro Gonzalez – bass & vocals
- David Bender – trumpet & fluegelhorn
- Julio Jauregui – keyboard & piano
- Keith Norris – trumpet & fluegelhorn
- Alan Tarpinian – drums, timbles, percussion & guitar
- David Van Handel – trombone
- Freddie Vilches – vocals, bongos & percussion
- Nathan Waddell – bass (1993 – 2007)
- Dana Heitman – trumpet (2004)
- Sean Flannery – trumpet (2004)
- Allison Rickenbaugh – vocals (2004)
Caliente performed along the West Coast and in Mexico.
1992 – Released album, “Volces Morenas”.
One highlight for the band was an appearance as featured artists with the Eugene Symphony. Salsa in concert with full orchestral accompaniment!
Nathan Waddell says
Glenn Griffith and then Glenn Bonney played trombone after David Van Handel. Sean actually plays saxophone. Among others, Geryl Johnson played heartfelt and fantastic keyboards in the band after Julio moved. Juaquin handled timbales during that era. Other really fine musicians played with the band.